Discussion

Favorite Korean Market in Ktown?

So up to this point I've more or less been going to California Market off Western to do my shopping of most Korean-related goods. Now while I'm not unhappy with my experience there up to this point, I've always been curious about the other options available.

What Korean market do you folks generally prefer for your shopping needs?

Do you know if this is similar to the HK Market in Tustin? I've been to that one and was fairly impressed with it. If they're part of the same chain, I might actually try and drive out to this later in the week.

I like Assi too. I like the prices and the food court. My overall favorite is probably Galleria, but it's probably because I don't have to shop there weekly but go there as a tourist.

However, overall, I will say that the OC Korean markets are cheaper (especially during those crazy weekend specials), have better produce, are cleaner, and give out a lot more samples. My favorite OC Korean market is Zion in Irvine. It's better than the Zion in San Diego, as in much bigger and prettier and has a Paris Baguette inside the store. H Market in Irvine is good too, but too high class for me.

My second favorite is Freshia (now owned by Zion) in Tustin. Also huge, has some great specials. I also like California Market in Garden Grove.

Northridge has a HUGE Galleria that is my favorite in the chain. However, the LA Galleria is also very, very nice. I really like it. Prices seem high though. Again, I like going as a tourist.

You know what, I believe that's the place I just went to today off Western and Olympic at the Galleria. A decently clean and well organized place. Produce was generally fairly cheap, the meat selection was above average, but I was a little disappointed by the seafood selection which didn't seem so fresh and somewhat limited (though they did have live Dunganess crab for $3.99/lb which was a steal).

Hannam Chain is one block west of Vermont on Olympic. I think Assi is on 8th street, like one or two blocks east of Western.

Koreatown Galleria (SE corner of Olympic/Western) and the Koreatown Plaza one about two blocks north of Western are probably the cleanest and have the best produce/product quality, except for the seafood. Koreatown Galleria also allows you to buy banchan quantities as needed (as opposed to prepackaged), which is nice for people wanting small amounts. HK in Glendale as well. Others do as well, but I can't remember which for sure.

My overall favorite Korean market is Super H Market. Unfortunately, they only have locations in Diamond Bar, Irvine and Norwalk. A true standout in Korean market shopping. The others, above, are pretty much the same. People's preferences for one over the other are largely based upon familiarity and habit.

The California Market also has freshly made bungobbang (red bean filled carp-shaped cakes, basically same as taiyaki) in the back of the store. They're cheap too. I know some other stores have it, but this place seems to crank them out whenever I am there.